Independent rear suspension

Abstract

A rear suspension for motor vehicles includes a cross member (2) for supporting the suspension, which is fixed at its ends (2a), with the interposition of rubber blocks (3), to two side members (4) fixed under the floor of the motor vehicle. The suspension also includes, in association with each rear wheel, a lower arm (15) pivotably mounted at one end on the respective end (2b) of the cross member (2) and at the other end on the respective wheel support (14). The lower end (15) also has a part which extends forwardly from the cross member (2) and is articulated at its front end to an auxiliary support (21) provided with means for fixing it in an adjustable position under the motor vehicle body. The axes of pivoting of the lower arm (15) relative to the body and relative to the wheel support (14) are parallel and inclined at an angle I to the longitudinal axis. An upper transverse strut (27) is articulated at its ends to the cross member (2) and to the wheel support (14) so as to form an articulated quadrilateral with the lower arm (15). The spring-shock-absorber unit (32, 33) is interposed between the lower arm (15) and the end (2a) of the cross member. Finally, an inclined tie rod (34) is connected at its ends to the auxiliary support (21) and to the cross member (2b), and an anti-roll stabilizer bar (36) is supported by means of members (37) dependant from the body and is connected at its ends to the two wheel supports (14).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rear suspension for a motor vehicle comprising: a cross member (2) for supporting the suspension, which is fixed at its ends (2a), with the interposition of rubber blocks (3), to two side members (4) fixed under the floor of the motor vehicle;   the suspension also including, in association with each rear wheel:   a lower arm (15) which is pivotably mounted at one end on the respective end (2b) of the supporting cross member (2) and at the other end on the respective wheel support (14), the lower arm (15) having a part (19) which extends forwardly from the cross member (2) with reference to the direction of travel,   an auxiliary support (21) provided with means (22) for fixing it in an adjustable position under the motor vehicle body, the front end of the lower arm (19) being articulated to the auxiliary support (21) so that the entire lower arm (15) is pivotable relative to the body of the motor vehicle about a pivoting axis (23) lying in a substantially horizontal plane and inclined to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, the axis (24) of pivoting between the lower arm (15) and the wheel support (14) being substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the lower arm relative to the body of the motor vehicle,   an upper transverse strut (27) mounted pivotably at its ends on the cross member (2) and on the wheel support (14) respectively, so as to form an articulated quadrilateral with the lower arm (15),   resilient shock-absorbing means (32, 33) interposed between the lower arm (15) and the end (2a) of the cross member (2),   an inclined tie-rod (34) connected at its ends to the cross member (2) and to the auxiliary support (21), and an anti-roll stabiliser bar connected at its ends to the two wheel supports (14) and supported beneath the body of the motor vehicle by means of dependant members (37).   
     
     
       2. A suspension according to claim 1, characterised in that the angle (I) of inclination of the pivoting axis of the lower arm (15) to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle is set in the region of 17°. 
     
     
       3. A suspension according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross member (2) is behind the axis of the wheels (12) with reference to the direction of travel. 
     
     
       4. A suspension according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross member comprises an omega-sectioned profile of pressed sheet metal the bottom of which is connected to a plate by welding, the cross member having a horizontal central section (6) which is spaced from the floor of the motor vehicle and two end sections (9) which are inclined upwardly from the central section (6) and have two cap-like parts (10), the resilient shock-absorbing means being interposed between a seat formed in the upper surface of the lower arm (15) and the cap-like part (10). 
     
     
       5. A suspension according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower arm (15) is articulated to the cross member (2), to the auxiliary support (21) and to the wheel support (14) with the interposition of rubber bushes. 
     
     
       6. A suspension according to claim 5, characterised in that said two bush joints have oscillating axes which are inclined at predetermined angles to the axis of pivoting of the lower arm relative to the wheel support. 
     
     
       7. A suspension according to claim 5, characterised in that the wheel support (14) is articulated to the lower arm (5) by means of two bush joints (25, 26) whose two centres define the axis of pivoting of the lower arm relative to the wheel support (14). 
     
     
       8. A suspension according to claim 5, characterised in that the rubber bushes interposed between the lower arm and the cross member and between the lower arm and the auxiliary support have oscillating axes which are inclined at predetermined angles to the axis of pivoting of the lower arm relative to the body of the motor vehicle.